BRUSSELS — The recent FIFA decision to revoke U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension, allowing him to participate in Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium, has not been well-received in Belgium.
The focus of Belgian national broadcaster RTBF’s coverage of the Brazil versus Norway match was disrupted, as discussions during halftime centered on the FIFA ruling rather than the ongoing game.
Following the match, the broadcaster revealed that Balogun was ranked third for “darling of the match,” even though the U.S. team was located over 2,000 miles from the game. Balogun garnered 17 percent of the viewer votes.
Meanwhile, players on the MetLife Stadium field secured the top two positions. Erling Haaland, who scored twice, came in second to goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, as Norway eliminated five-time champions Brazil from the competition.
